skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Advice
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
  1. Entrance
  2. wooden fence

Entrance Ideas and Designs

All Filters (1)
Refine by:
1 - 20 of 27 photos
Item 1 of 11
Tree+House Front Exterior
Tree+House Front Exterior
François Lévy Architecture + InteriorsFrançois Lévy Architecture + Interiors
A 43” diameter heritage pecan guided the plan of this neighborhood-scaled, modestly-priced, single-story, L-shaped house. In Austin’s seemingly perpetual drought, the goal was to create a symbiotic relationship between house and tree: to complement, not combat each other. The roof’s east/west parallel ridges create a valley directly across from the base, where water is collected at a grate, nourishing the tree. The roof also maximizes south facing surfaces, elevated at 15 degrees for future solar collection. The open, public spaces of the home maximize the north-south light. The private zone of the bedrooms and bathrooms include a generous gallery; its angled walls and large sliding doors are faceted about the tree. The pecan becomes a central focus for indoor and outdoor living, participating in the house in both plan and section. The design welcomes and nurtures the tree as integral to its success. Photo Credit: Chris Diaz
Travis Heights - Guest House
Travis Heights - Guest House
Risinger HomesRisinger Homes
Whit Preston Photography
Photo of a contemporary entrance in Austin with an orange front door.
Carolina St
Carolina St
John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIAJohn Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA
Contemporary entrance in San Francisco with a single front door.
Find the right local pro for your project
Find top design and renovation professionals on Houzz
Laurelhurst Residence
Laurelhurst Residence
Prestige Residential ConstructionPrestige Residential Construction
Contractor: Prestige Residential Construction Architects: DeForest Architects; Interior Design: NB Design Group; Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
Inspiration for a contemporary front door in Seattle with a metal front door.
River Avenue - Newport Beach
River Avenue - Newport Beach
Christiano Homes, Inc.Christiano Homes, Inc.
Tankersley Photography
Photo of a nautical entrance in Orange County with a stable front door.
Exterior, master bathroom added in zig-zag because of setbacks
Exterior, master bathroom added in zig-zag because of setbacks
Klopf ArchitectureKlopf Architecture
Photo ©2012 Mariko Reed
Inspiration for a retro entrance in San Francisco.
Coolidge
Coolidge
Sticks & Bricks DevelopmentSticks & Bricks Development
Design ideas for a farmhouse front door in Phoenix with a single front door and a black front door.
The Wave House
The Wave House
KBC DevelopmentsKBC Developments
Situated on a challenging sloped lot, an elegant and modern home was achieved with a focus on warm walnut, stainless steel, glass and concrete. Each floor, named Sand, Sea, Surf and Sky, is connected by a floating walnut staircase and an elevator concealed by walnut paneling in the entrance. The home captures the expansive and serene views of the ocean, with spaces outdoors that incorporate water and fire elements. Ease of maintenance and efficiency was paramount in finishes and systems within the home. Accents of Swarovski crystals illuminate the corridor leading to the master suite and add sparkle to the lighting throughout. A sleek and functional kitchen was achieved featuring black walnut and charcoal gloss millwork, also incorporating a concealed pantry and quartz surfaces. An impressive wine cooler displays bottles horizontally over steel and walnut, spanning from floor to ceiling. Features were integrated that capture the fluid motion of a wave and can be seen in the flexible slate on the contoured fireplace, Modular Arts wall panels, and stainless steel accents. The foyer and outer decks also display this sense of movement. At only 22 feet in width, and 4300 square feet of dramatic finishes, a four car garage that includes additional space for the client's motorcycle, the Wave House was a productive and rewarding collaboration between the client and KBC Developments. Featured in Homes & Living Vancouver magazine July 2012! photos by Rob Campbell - www.robcampbellphotography photos by Tony Puezer - www.brightideaphotography.com
Brooktree / Los Angeles Mid-Century Modern
Brooktree / Los Angeles Mid-Century Modern
BiLDENBiLDEN
A pool of light from the oculus tracks the movement of the sun across the sky. / photo: Karyn R Millet
Retro front door in Los Angeles.
William Hefner Architecture Interiors & Landscape
William Hefner Architecture Interiors & Landscape
Studio William HefnerStudio William Hefner
This is an example of a world-inspired entrance in Los Angeles with a single front door and a dark wood front door.
Lincoln Park Renovation
Lincoln Park Renovation
BDS Design Build RemodelBDS Design Build Remodel
  Download our free ebook, Remodeling a House, Creating a Home. DOWNLOAD NOW   Studio West Photography
Mid-Century Remodel
Mid-Century Remodel
2fORM Architecture2fORM Architecture
New Entry Door Higher Resolution Photography
Midcentury front door in Portland with a medium wood front door.
Painted Boat Resort Pender Harbour
Painted Boat Resort Pender Harbour
Spani Developments Ltd.Spani Developments Ltd.
Alan Burns
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary foyer in Vancouver with a double front door, a glass front door, beige walls, slate flooring, multi-coloured floors and feature lighting.
Dallas Renovation
Dallas Renovation
Sharon BlumbergSharon Blumberg
Photo of a contemporary entrance in Dallas with a single front door and a black front door.
Poolside Flat
Poolside Flat
Rick & Cindy Black ArchitectsRick & Cindy Black Architects
Whit Preston
This is an example of a contemporary entrance in Austin with a red front door.
Real Estate Interior & Exterior Photos
Real Estate Interior & Exterior Photos
Kiki Veilleux PhotographyKiki Veilleux Photography
Victoria Burns
This is an example of a classic porch in New Orleans with a single front door.
Contemporary Bungalow
Contemporary Bungalow
Koffka Phakos DesignKoffka Phakos Design
Landscape Design by Dan Garness, www.garness.net
Photo of a medium sized contemporary front door in Los Angeles with a glass front door, white walls, concrete flooring, a single front door and grey floors.
Courtyard
Courtyard
Skyring ArchitectsSkyring Architects
www.cfjphoto.com.au
Design ideas for a contemporary entrance in Brisbane.
Embarcadero Condominium
Embarcadero Condominium
Case + Abst ArchitectsCase + Abst Architects
Contemporary entrance in San Francisco with a single front door and a light wood front door.

Entrance Ideas and Designs

The entrance of your home is a critical area to design well because as we all know, first impressions count. As the first thing that visitors will see when they arrive, your entrance is your opportunity to offer guests a warm welcome while introducing the personality of your home. Equally important, it welcomes you home every day, so make it somewhere that you’re glad to come home to. The entrance to your home begins the moment you get to the front door, so make sure both inside and out get the attention of your decorator’s touch. Make your foyer the best possible introduction to the rest of the house, and if you wish, you can have a bit of fun with the doorway; paint, tiles, door handles and lighting are all ways to make front doors a statement – a dramatic entrance, if you will.

What front doors can I choose from?

Your first decision when updating front doors is what type of external doors you want to use, taking into account style, security and accessibility. Investing in a high quality front door is always worthwhile – this is a purchase where a little extra money goes a long way. Hardwood exterior doors remain the most popular choice of front door; as well as being the most economical, timber also opens the door to an endless selection of paint, hardware and embellishment. However, natural wood doors do have their downsides – prone to warping, they require more upkeep and may require replacing if not adequately cared for. Whether you opt for solid oak external doors or an oak veneer option, wooden doors are a match made in heaven for period architecture – it’s hard to imagine a Georgian house without a solid, six-panel door, or a Victorian home sans its gleaming hardware and stained glass panes. If you prefer non-wooden exterior doors, the alternatives are UPVC doors, GRP doors (collectively known as composite doors) and steel doors. UPVC front doors are often the most inexpensive alternative to timber and offer added insulation benefits; because the material itself can be a comparatively insubstantial, UPVC external doors are built into steel door frames for added reinforcement. GRP (glass-reinforced plastic, or fibreglass to you and me) doors offer the same properties, with a woodgrain effect that can provide a happy medium for lovers of timber. Steel doors are less widely used in the UK than the US, and make great contemporary front doors thanks to their sleek, modern appearance.

How do I decorate my doorway?

Renovating or replacing your front doors is one of the quickest ways to give your home a makeover, and affords the perfect opportunity to add a splash of colour to the front of your home. To improve your front door’s kerb appeal you can flank the doorway with decorative trees or flowering plants in attractive planters and “dress” the door with shiny hardware. Door knockers and door knobs can be more than functional with a range of styles and materials available to add some personality to exterior doors. A traditional brass door knocker can be the perfect complement to a solid oak doorway painted in a rich shade of green or blue, whilst contemporary chrome door hardware will look perfect against a white or eggshell door. If you are looking for an elegant front door option, opt for a hardwood door with built in obscured glass panels to let light into your hallway. If you would rather avoid a glass paned front door for security reasons then smaller decorative glass panels can also be inserted into the surround or door frame. You can choose stained glass panes for decorative effect, patterned or textured glass will allow light in but protect your privacy or get your home name or number etched into a glass pane for a practical but personal touch.

How should I light my front entrance?

The warm glow from a doorway is one of the most welcoming sights that can greet us when we arrive home. An entrance light is of practical importance – we have all spent time fumbling for our house keys in the dark – but it also offers an opportunity to add warmth and character to front doors and entrances. A wall mounted lantern is a charming traditional choice, or for bright, directed illumination opt for a security spotlight. There are a whole variety of switching options available – you can choose a motion sensor light that switches on right when you need it most, a timer light that will offer illumination on a fixed schedule or a switched outdoor light. Pointing light upward is a good way to avoid harsh glare, or choose recessed lighting if you prefer not to have a hanging light in front of your external doors. An entrance is also a great place to display lighting as a decorative feature – choose a table lamp that echoes the lines and colours of the hall beyond it.

What furniture and storage do I need in my entryway?

It’s important to keep the entrance to your home as open and clutter free as possible, so selecting a few practical items that will help with storage and offer a warm welcome is the best approach for this area. Coat stands, umbrella holders and shoe racks are practical foyer additions that will keep the area tidy. For the knick knacks and paraphernalia that so often accumulate by front doors, sideboards or console tables are helpful and opting for a something with a drawer is a clever trick to ensure these things can be stowed out of sight. If you have the space, an armchair, occasional chair or hallway bench will prove useful for perching on when removing shoes and definitely consider multi-functional furniture such as a storage bench for shoes. A wall mounted shoe cabinet is a must have for a tighter space, getting shoes off the floor and neatly stowed away.

How do I decorate my foyer?

Particularly in the entrance to the home, colour can be a wonderful tool to set the tone of the house. Neutral palettes can create a serene atmosphere appropriate for greeting guests; alternatively, you might find yourself being a little bit more adventurous by choosing a whimsical wallpaper or a bold wall colour that could look overwhelming anywhere else in the house. In either case, the foyer can be blended seamlessly into the home with details that connect it to adjoining rooms. Even if your entrance is not self-contained, instead with exterior doors that open straight into the house, visual tricks make it possible to create the illusion of an entryway by defining the space as such. Changes in flooring, a well-placed rug, a screen or curtain, or even furniture such as a console table or coat rack, can be used to delineate the space and distinguish the entrance from the rest of the hallway. Decorating walls and furniture with photographs or artwork is a simple way of bringing your personality into the foyer and plants, lamps, candles, vases and ornaments can be displayed on windowsills, tables or shelves. As a final thoughtful touch, mirrors placed next to front doors are a practical choice for those last minute appearance checks, as long as it’s not directly opposite the doorway, which could back-light the user – decidedly not helpful!
Contemporary Entry
Contemporary Entry
This is an example of a contemporary entrance in Houston.
1
12Next Page
United Kingdom
Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.